Across disciplines, Chapman University faculty are securing major grants from top agencies, foundations and industry partners to tackle critical challenges and open new frontiers of knowledge. From innovative approaches in science and technology to projects that expand access and opportunity, these awards showcase the creativity, impact and reach of the Chapman academic community.
The following highlights represent a selection of the grants awarded to Chapman faculty in the past year.
$470,307 — Air Force Office Of Scientific Research (via University of Rochester)
Andrew Jordan, Professor and Co-Director for the Institute for Quantum Studies (IQS)
The proposed program is organized around theory and experimental tasks that aim to create 3D superresolution in remote sensing, which is used on satellites and aircraft to glean information about the Earth’s surface and atmosphere from a distance. Remote
sensing can be used to manage and monitor disasters, the environment, agriculture, urban planning and a host of other critical applications.
By leveraging structured illumination and detection approaches, this project seeks to optimize information acquisition from a scene, enabling resolvability that surpasses the limits of conventional approaches. Theoretical modeling will be used to create new
pathways in quantum informed sensing technologies.
$499,134 — National Science Foundation
Maryam Etezadbrojerdi, Assistant Professor, Fowler School of Engineering
This project focuses on designing and implementing accessible STEM educational games paired with an affordable refreshable Braille display (RBD) for K–12 students who are blind or visually impaired. The RBD prototypes incorporate tactile buttons and audio feedback to interface with computers, tablets and smartphones. Each game’s content will be adapted for display on the RBD to ensure children with blindness and visual impairment can engage as effectively as their sighted peers. Researchers will evaluate the games’ effectiveness
through user response, comprehension and overall user experience, advancing inclusive educational technologies for the next generation.
$250,000 — National Institutes Of Health (AIM-AHEAD Program)
Sherry Wang, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy
This project will examine how AI and machine learning systems used in opioid prescribing may contribute to inequities in patient care. While clinical decision support tools such as NarxCare are designed to predict overdose risk and guide treatment, biases embedded in algorithms can mislead providers and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Wang will lead the study as principal investigator, joined by faculty colleagues, outside researchers and a team of Chapman students who will gain hands-on experience in this critical work. Funded through NIH’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD), the research will review existing models for bias and adapt NarxCare for evaluation using California data. By applying fairness metrics to assess both group- and individual-level equity, the team aims to identify ways to improve AI systems so they more accurately and fairly serve patients with opioid use disorder. The project reflects a broader effort to ensure that healthcare innovations in AI advance equity rather than reinforce disparities.
